Pasadena Chalkfest 2006

Every summer, in June, the City of Pasadena hosts an annual chalk street art festival. My good friend Ender (Josh) and I have participated in the last three years. In our first year, back in 2004, the event was called Absolut Chalk, as it was primarily sponsored by Absolut (vodka makers). The event consists of hundreds of artists and art lovers who for two days, Saturday and Sunday, spend all day creating murals on the concrete floor, using primarily chalk, or pastels. Every year we try push our skills a little more, creating larger pieces, or more intricate and detailed artwork.

**** ADDED 06/12/07 ****

Sorry. completely forgot to attach these next four images to the email. Here they are:

Pasadena Chalkfest Street Art 2004

Pasadena Chalkfest Street Art 2005

Pasadena Chalkfest Street Art 2006 (1 of 2)

Pasadena Chalkfest Street Art 2006 (2 of 2)

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And now back to our regularly scheduled story…

This year I primarily wanted to create a very colorful piece, but the decision on what to create is finalized by both. This piece is not an original artwork, it is by Simon Silva, and it is called “Amor a todas horas”. I had seen a reprint of this painting many times, as it is very popular on my wife’s side of the family. Three households have the same print.

All chalk pieces start this way, with a basic grid, a small sample print, and gathering similar colors in piles

Check out the stacks of colors all around.

There are many artists around me. It’s inspiring to see other people’s artwork all around. They also have live music both days, that helps.

The event provides us with chalk, drinks, and a free t-shirt. I got this one back in 2004

This is day 2, Sunday. the work is almost finished.

Here is Ender and I working on the piece. We both worked on the project equally. Taking breaks every now and then. It was a hot day.

Looking sharp with my ”gilligan’s” hat

A close up of the drawing. My theory is, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be strong and bold.

We finished it! We got really good comments from the people passing by.

Favorites

I took so many photographs of people’s works of art, it was very difficult for me choose a few of my favorites. Here they are:

The detail and shading on this drawing is amazing

This one’s cool. I like the effect of the compiled photographs.

I like this one, specially because they made chalk look like water colors!

I saw this one from the start to the end. The 3D effect is really well done.

Another favorite. Very simple design, yet extremely well executed.

And the final piece. We’ll be back 2007!